Tufting device.



No. 628,552. Patented luly u, |899..

n. E. nowLEY.

TUFTING DEVICE,-

(Application led Mar. 80, 1899.)

4 Sheets-Slieei l.

(No Model.)

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4 Sheats Sheet 2` (No ModeL- No. 628,552. Patented luly Il, |899.

n. E. nowLEY.

TUFTING DEVICE.

(Application Bled Har. 30, 1889.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(Nn Model.)

Patented luly Il, |899. IJ. E. RUWLEY.

TUFTING DEVICE.

(Application led Mar. 30, 1899;]

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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m: cams 'versus cc pnoruurnn., WASHINGTON. n4 c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

.DAVID E. ROVVLEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TUFTING DEVICE.

v SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters `Patent No. 628,552, dated July11, 1899.

` Application fue@ March so, 1899. seria No. 711,177. (No model.)

'1"0 @ZL 1071/0711/ it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID E. ROWLEY, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Taft-ing Devices,of which the following is a description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,`

wherein likeA reference-letters indicate like or corresponding parts,Figure 1 is a top plan View of the skeleton frame of my improved device.Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation takenat right angles to that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a top plan view ofthe base-board of my improved de vice. Fig. 5 is a vertical section ofthe same in lines 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. G is a view of the securing andguiding pins adapted tosecure the fabric upon the top of the skeletonframe and also guide the advance of the follower and presser boards. ofthe follower-board adapted to secure the stuffing material upon theskeleton frame and retain the same in position thereon. Fig. Sis an edgeview of the same. modification showing one section of a sectionalfollower-board. Fig. 10 is an end view of the same. Fig. 11 is a partialtop plan view of a presser-board adapted to press the follower-boardtoward the skeleton frame in the operation of the device. Fig. 12 isasectional view of the same in the line 12 12 of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 showsthe relative position -of the several parts .with the stuffing materialin position before compression. Fig. 14 is a similar view showing thefollowerboard compressed upon the skeleton frame and secured thereto,with the presser-board and base removed. Fig. 15 is a top plan viewofamodified form ofsectional skeleton frame. Fig. 1t' is an elevation ofthe same. Fig. 17

is a sectional view taken on the same eleva-A tion. Fig. 18 is a detailview of the same. Fig. 19 is a detail view showing the method of usingmy improved device upon articles havingcurved or irregular surfaces, andFig. 20 is a view in partial section, showing the method ofwithdrawingthe follower-board.

The object of devices of this character is to furnish means to assistthe upholsterer in performing his work more economically, as well as toaid him in arranging the tufts orbis- Fig. 7 is a top plan view Fig. 91s acuits of the upholstering in amore regular and attractive manner;and the object of my invention is to furnish a device of this characterwhich shall greatly red uce and simplify the labor of the upholsterer inthis direction.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction andcombination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularlypointed/out in the claims.

In the drawings, A represents a skeleton frame consisting of rings A A',regularly disposed and suitably arranged to locate the buttons orclench-pins in the upholstering. The rings A are elevated above the baseB of the frame by means of the supports C. These supports preferablydiverge in oppositeY diyrections from the rings, as shown in Figs. 2,

`are connected with the longitudinal rods.

(See Figs. 2 and 18.) In this form I also prefer to employ twoadditional longitudinal rods D2 D2, located near the outer edge of thebase, `for a purpose which will be hereinafter explained. Thisconstruction forms a skeleton frame having an open base and provided atregular intervals with rings elevated to a plane above the base adistance corresponding with the desired dept-h of the tufting. The ringsare provided with an aperture of sufficient size to permit a button orclench-pin, head to readily pass therethrough.

E is a base-board of asize corresponding with the outlines of theskeletonframe described and provided with apertures or holes e,registering with the center of the rings A when the frame is placedthereon.

F is a securing and guiding pin provided with a rod or needlefofsufficient length to extend from the upper surface of the ring A toengage with the holes or apertures in the base-board E, while theenlarged portion f extends upward from said ring for the purpose IOO ofguiding the follower-board and presserwhen in position, the said holesor apertures being of sufficient size to loosely embrace the partf ofthe guiding-pin F. In the preferred construction channels g' extend fromeach of the apertures g to one of the outer edges of the follower-boardfor reasons which will be hereinafter explained.

H is a presser-board provided with apertures h so located and of suchsize as also to loosely embrace that pai-tf" of the guidingpin F.

The mode of operation is as follows: The skeleton frame A is placed uponthe baseboard E and the fabric N loosely placed over the elevated ringsA' and positioned as desired by the hands of the operator, the partbetween the rings being of sufficient fullness to extend nearly or quiteto the base. The guiding and securing pins F are then placed inposition, the rod or pin f being pressed downward through the fabric andring and entering one of the apertures e in the baseboard E. Thestuffing or upholstering material is then placed upon the top of thefabric to the extent desired and the follower-board G placed thereon,the apertures g loosely embracing the upper part of the pin F. The

presser-board H is then placed upon the fol-v lower G, the aperture halso embracing the 'upper part of the pins F. (See Fig. I3.) Thefollower and presser boards are then forced toward the rings A by apress or any suitable means (not shown) until the follower-board issubstantially in the plane of the said rings;

Means are then employed to temporarily secure the follower-board andskeleton frame in the relative' positions they then occupy.

' Any suitable means may be employed for this purpose. In the preferredform I pass a rod I along over each longitudinal edge of thefollower-board. A bolt K, extending from between the rods D D2 where itengages with the base, engages with the rod I in any preferred manner.This may be done by means of screw-threads or otherwise in the rod Iitself or by mea-ns of an independent screwnut 7s and permits thefollower-board and skeleton frame to be temporarily secured together.The skeleton frame and followerboard, with the fabric and compressedmaterial between them, may now be removed and set aside until it isdesired to secure the tufting upon some article of furniture. (See Fig.14.)

In placing the tufting or upholstering upon the article of furniture thefollower-board may be first removed andthe tufting secured in the usualmanner. In the preferred construction, however, in which the channels gg' are employed, I position the bolts K on one side of thefollower-board in the channels g.

I may now place the `device upon the article to be tufted, thefollower-board G resting upon the surface of the said article. Thebutton or clench-pin may then be easily inserted through the rings A andapertures g, the skeleton form of the frame furnishing ample opportunityfor the operator to use his hands without embarrassment. After theclench-pins or buttons are placed in position and secured the boltsK-on'the side of the follower opposite to the side of the channel g maybe removed, when the several channels being in line with the buttons orclench-pins, the follower-board, composed of thin smooth material forthis particular purpose, may be easily removed by withdrawing :itoutward, the channels permitting the board to slip readily by theclench-pins orbuttons. By this means the tufting or upholstering issecured in position upon the article while still retained in properposition between the follower-board and skeleton frame and while undercompression. The work is therefore .uniform.

In the. preferred form shown in the draw! ings a series of auxiliaryelevations A2 on the outer edges of the frame provided with small eyessubstantially the size of the rod f of the guiding and securing pin Fand apertures c in the base-board E, registering therewith, affordadditional means for securely retaining the skeleton frame upon thebase-board E. It is obvious that in many cases the presserboard II maybe dispensed with. This will depend upon the material and constructionof the follower-board G and also,perhaps,upon the degree of compressiondesired. In practice I prefer to use it, although I do not wish to beunderstood as limiting myself toits use in all cases. It is also obviousthat in some cases the base-board E may be dispensed with or equivalentmeans employed to steady the parts.

I prefer in all cases to construct the skeleton frame and thefollower-board of material that will permit of a considerable degree offlexibility when the device is used upon slightly-curved surfaces. Thismay be accomplished by making the base of the skeleton frame of metalrods of comparatively light weight or of equivalent sheet metal out outto accomplish the same objects and purposes and of making thefollower-board G of sheet metal. In many cases, however, a greaterdegree of fiexibility is required than may be conveniently secured bythe means stated. As an independent invention, therefore, I constructthe skeleton frame in sectional form, as shown in Figs. 15, 16, 17, andI8. In this form the adjacent sections, as P Q, are flexibly orpivotally connected by any preferred means, as by the transverse rod R,which is preferably so constructed that it may be readily withdrawn todisconnect the two sections. As here shown, the longitudinal rods D D,the., are in short sections, the ends being bent to form loops d of asize sufficient to loosely IOO IIO

IZO

embrace the rod R. The rod R may have a simple hook o' or other`equivalent means at one end to prevent an unintentional disengagementof the parts, while t-he other end may be lacking such part, thuspermitting its withdrawal. It is sometimes desirable'to provide means toretain the exible skeleton frame with the attached sections of thefollower-board in a desired curve or irregularposition. For this purposeI prefer to use one or more straps, bars, or rods S,extending-longitudinally of the skeleton frame and transversely of thesections. This strap may be ot' any preferred material; but forpractical use I have found a malleable-metal strap to serve the purposesatisfactorily. The strap may be secured to the several sections in anypreferred manner, as by interlacing or otherwise, and may thus connecttwo or more sections, as desired. In cases where the sectional skeletonfra-me is used and in others, if desired, a follower-board composed ofsections Gr2 (shown in Figs. 9 and 10) may be employed in which eachsection is preferably separately secured to the skeleton frame for thepurpose before stated. In such cases I prefer to use a bolt T, providedwith a head that permits it to be used as a thumb-screw, while upon thechanneled end of the followerboard a cross-piece V is located provided-with means n for engaging with the other end of ttm thumb-screw T. Toprevent accidental disengagement of the parts, I prefer to pivotallysecure the piece V to the follower-board at o. By this arrangement thecross-piece V easily swings outward upon disengaging the thumb-screwT'when removing the section, and thus does not interfere with itsdisengagement. Itis obvious that, if preferred, the strap Sinay be ofspring metalinstead of malleable.

I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the transverse-rodconstruction of the skeleton frame, as shown,as it is obvious anyskeleton frame constructed to retain the important features andadvantages described would accomplish the same results. Thus lightcastings, malleable or otherwise, would serve the same purpose, as wouldalso sheet metal cut out to preserve the skeleton features. Theimportant object to be secured by this construction or equivalent meansis a skeleton frame permitting thel operator at all times to seesubstantially all of the outer surface of the tufting material and atthe same time give him ample opportunity to apply his hands to the bestadvantage. Neither do I wish to be understood as limiting myself to theexact construction otherwise shown, as after thus fully describing myinvention it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may besuggested without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a device of the kind described, a skeleton frame com prising aseries of regularly-dis posed rings supported at an elevation above askeleton base, a base-board, and guiding-pins adapted to engage with thebase-board to secure the fabric upon the ends of the rings and also toguide the follower-board in its advance toward the frame, in combinationwith a follower-board provided with openings registering with the ringsand adapted to loosely embrace the guiding-pins, substantially asdcscribed.

2. In a device of the kind described, a skeleton frame comprising aseries of regularly-disposed rings supported at an elevation above askeleton base, in combination with securing and guiding pins adapted tosecure the fabricV upon the rings and a follower-board guided in itsapproach toward the skeleton frame by the guiding-pins, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a device of the kind described, a skeleton frame comprising aseries of regularly-disposed rings supported at an elevation above askeleton base, and securing and guiding pins adapted to secure thefabric upon the rings and also direct the advance of the followerboard,in combination with a follower-board provided with a series of aperturesregistering With the rings and adapted to embrace the guiding-pins, andslots or channels extending from the several apertures in thefollowerboard to one of the edges of t-he same, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a device of the kind described, a skeleton frame comprisingaseries of regularly-disposed rings supported at an elevation above askeleton base, and securing and guiding pins adapted to secure thefabric upon the rings and also direct the advance of the followerboard,in combination with a follower-board provided with a series of aperturesextending therethrough registering with the rings and adapted to embracethe guiding-pins,and slots or channels extending from the severalapertures in the board to one of the edges of the same, and means forsecuring the followerboard to the skeleton frame when the former iscompressed substantially to the plane of the rings, substantially asdescribed.

5.A In a device of the kind described, aframe provided with means toelevate the fabric at p the points where the buttons are to be located,

and means for securing the fabric upon the elevations, in combinationwith a followerboard provided with the openings g, and guiding-channelsg', substantially as described.

6. In a device of the kind described, aframe IOO IIO

IIS

provided with means to elevate the fabric at i the points Where thebuttons are to be located,

and means for securing the fabric upon the elevations, in combinationwith a followerboard composed of sections G2, provided with openings g,and channels g', substantiallyas described.

8. Inadevice of the kind described, aframe` provided with means toelevate the fabric at the points where the buttons are to be located,and means for securing the fabric upon the elevations, in combinationwith a followerboard composed of sections G2, provided with openings g,and channels g, and means for temporarily securing the several sectionsof the follower tothe frame, substantially as described. y

9. In adevice of thekind described, a skeleton frame provided withregularly-disposed rings supported at an elevation above a suitable baseand securing and guiding pin sadapted to secure the fabric upon therings and guide the advance of the follower in ,combination with afollower-board provided with holes or openings registering with therings and adapted to embrace the guiding-pins, a presser-board adaptedto rest upon the follower and adapted to be compressed with the same,and means for compressing the follower and presser-board upon the frame,substantially asy described.

10. In a device of the kind described, a skeleton frame comprising aseries of regularly-disposed rings, supported at an elevation above askeleton base, and securing and guiding pins adapted to secure thefabric upon the rings, in combination with a follower-board providedwith openings g, and channels g', and means for securing the follower tothe frame, substantially as described.

11. In a device of the kind described, a skeleton frame comprising aseries of regularly-disposed rings supported at an elevation above abase consisting of longitudinal and transverse rods or bars suitablyconnected, and guiding-pins F, in combination with a follower-board,provided with openings g, and channels g/, substantially as Ydescribed.

12. In a device of the kind described, a skeleton frame comprising aseries of regularly-disposed rings supported at an elevation above abase consisting of longitudinal and transverse rods or bars suitablyconnected, and guiding-pins F, in colnbination with a follower-boardconsisting of sections G2, and means for securing the sections to theframe, substantially as described.

13. In a device of the kind described, a

skeleton frame consisting of regularly-disposed rin gs A supported at anelevation above a skeleton base, a base-board E and securing and guidingpins F, in combination witha follower-board provided with openings g,and

channels g', a presser-board II, and means for securing the follower andframev together, substantially as described.

14. In a device of the kind described, a sectional skeleton frameconsisting of a base comprising flexibly-connected skeleton sections theelevated rings A' supported thereby, in combination with means forsecuring the fabric upon the rings and means for compressing thestuffing material upon the fabric, substantially as described.

15. In a device ofthe kind described, a sectional skeleton frameconsisting of skeleton sections flexibly connected, a series of elevatedrings supported therebyand means for securing the fabric upon the ringsin combination with a follower-board provided with openings g,registering with the rings, and means for securing the follower-board tothe frame, substantially as described.

16. In a device of' the kind described, a fiexible skeleton frameconsisting of skeleton sections flexibly connected, the elevated rings-A' supported thereby, in combination with a base-board E, securing-pinsF, sectional followers G2, and means forsecuring the follower to theframe, substantially as described.

17. In a device of the kind described, a flexible skeleton frameconsisting of skeleton sections pivotally connected, the rings A supported thereby, a base-board E, and securing and guiding pins F, incombination with the sectional follower G2, provided with openings r,and channels g', substantially as described. 4

18. In a device of the kind described, a

v exible Skeleton frame consisting of skeleton sections flexiblyconnected, the rings A supported thereby, a base-board E, and securingand guiding pins F, in combination with a sectional follower G2,provided with openings g, and channels g', securing device T, V, and apresser-board H, substantially as described.

19. A fiexible skeleton frame consisting of skeleton sections iiexiblyconnected, elevated rings A' supported thereby, in combination with theconnecting-straps S, substantially as and for the purpose described.

20. In a device of the kind described, aY

flexible skeleton frame consisting of skeleton sections flexiblyconnected, the rings A supported thereby, and securing and guiding pinsF, in combination with the sectional follower G2, provided withapertures g,and channels g', substantially as described.y

21. In a tufting device a follower-board provided with openings g, andchannels y', substantially as described.

DAVID E. ROWLEY. Witnesses:

JOHN W. HILL, BEssIE SHADBoL'r.

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